ABB introduces IRB 1200 a compact, flexible, fast and functional small industrial robot

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2017-04-20 11:30:00

ABB’s smallest material and machine tool handling robot now available with SafeMove2.

ABB Robotics today announced that SafeMove2 is now also available for IRB 1200, the smallest ABB robot to feature its leading edge advanced safety-certified monitoring and control software. SafeMove2 enables people to work safely alongside ABB robots with payloads ranging from 6kg to 800kg without compromising productivity. It also provides an optimum level of collaboration and flexibility to higher speed and throughput applications which typically require more insular, intrusive levels of safety.

SafeMove2 simplifies production scenarios and provides tools that speed the commissioning workflow for faster set-up and validation. The innovative software option also integrates safety Fieldbus connectivity into ABB’s IRC5 robot controller family as well as the IRC5 Single, Compact and Paint controllers.

“The trend towards manufacturing in smaller lots of greater mix means people are coming closer to production equipment in more sporadic and intermittent ways – changing programming, bringing different materials or inspecting new processes. It is simply not productive to stop a line every time a person steps in,” says Dr. Hui Zhang, Head of Product Management, at ABB Robotics. “SafeMove2 allows robots and operators to work more collaboratively and closer together by restricting robot motion to precisely what is needed for a specific application.”

The IRB 1200 – the smallest robot in its class -- addresses the needs of the material handling and machine tending industries for flexibility, ease of use, compactness and short cycle times while still maintaining large working envelopes. The robot comes in two variants which can handle a wide range of applications; the 700 mm reach variant can handle payloads of up to 7 kg, while the longer reaches 900 mm variant can handle payloads up to 5 kg.

New design with SafeMove2

The IRB 1200 SafeMove2 becomes the smallest ABB robot to feature the advanced safety-certified monitoring and control software solution which allows robots and operators to work more closely together by restricting robot motion to precisely what is needed for a specific application.

Features and benefits

• 15% smaller cells that have 10% shorter cycle times
• SafeMove2 is available option
• IP40 protection as standard; Clean Room, IP67 and Foundry Plus 2 protection are also available options
• 4 air ducts, 10 customer signals and Ethernet routed internally from wrist flange to foot
• Two variants with 700 mm reach/7 kg payload and 900 mm reach/5 kg payload
• Mountable at any angle
• Large useable working area in a compact footprint

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